Avalanche report for Saturday 21 December 2024.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers.

all day it applies above the treeline considerable avalanche danger, so danger level three, below low avalanche danger, so danger level one.

all day, above the treeline, we have a wind slab problem. Especially in the aspects North-West to North to South-East. Furthermore, all day, above 2200 meter, we have a persistent weak layer problem. Especially in the aspects North-West to North to East.

The extensive wind slabs of Friday can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers and reach quite a large size. This applies in particular on very steep north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. On extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Isolated gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

And now the snowpack:

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs formed by the strong northwesterly wind are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack especially on steep north and east facing slopes. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack at high altitude.

The tendency for Sunday 22 December 2024 indicates an increasing avalanche danger.

Have a nice day and don't forget to be careful!